supportive

[ suh-pawr-tiv, -pohr- ]

adjective

1. giving support.
2. providing sympathy or encouragement:

   His family was supportive of his attempts to be a writer.

3. providing additional help, information, etc.; auxiliary:

   manufacturers of supportive materials.

4. Medicine/Medical. helping to maintain a normal physiological balance, as by the intravenous administration of required nutriment.

Other Words From

• sup·portive·ness noun
• nonsup·portive adjective
• unsup·portive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of supportive¹

First recorded in 1585–95; support + -ive

Example Sentences

Of course, supportive housing — and just more housing writ large — is the ultimate solution to homelessness.

From Los Angeles Times

Early in his tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury, he was credited with helping usher through the vote that allowed women to become bishops, being supportive of the move through often tempestuous division.

From BBC

Still, the poll suggests that Californians could be less supportive of Harris running for governor compared with her run for president this year.

From Los Angeles Times

Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis told the BBC he was supportive of the concept of smart meters, but the reality had not matched up.

From BBC

These voters were left-leaning on cultural issues and supportive of an active federal government and a strong social safety net.

From BBC